The BurmaNet News: February 10, 199

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Subject: The BurmaNet News: February 10, 1999

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 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: February 10, 1999
Issue #1204

HEADLINES:
==========
AFP: US WILL NOT ATTEND MYANMAR HEROIN CONFERENCE 
BKK POST: RANGOON MAKES A CURIOUS CHOICE TO HOST 
NLD: 23 DECEMBER ADDRESS BY DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI 
THE NATION: ALBRIGHT ARRIVES ON MARCH 20 TO ASSESS 
THE NATION: UK REFUSES TO ATTEND ASEAN-EU MEETING 
BKK POST: SHIP CHASES OFF ATTACKERS OF FISHING BOATS 
NLOM: US CITIZENS ORDAINED AT ALODAWPYI MONASTERY 
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AFP: US WILL NOT ATTEND MYANMAR HEROIN CONFERENCE 
9 February, 1999

BANGKOK, Feb 9 (AFP) - The United States has decided not to attend a major
international heroin conference in Myanmar, dealing a critical blow to the
junta's hopes of shedding its image as a "narco-dictatorship."

A US source told AFP Tuesday that Washington's decision to miss this
month's Interpol-backed forum was motivated by a desire to avoid any
misunderstandings of its policy.

"The United States believes that the Burmese regime could use the
conference to create the false impression that it demonstrates
international approval by Interpol and participating countries of its
narcotics performance," the source said.

"The US wants to avoid any misinterpretation of its policy towards Burma
(Myanmar)," said the source.

"Burma's anti-narcotics efforts, while improving, are far from what is
necessary. Burma persists in its disregard for political and human rights."

The US had been considering sending representatives of its Drugs
Enforcement Administration (DEA) to the meeting, according to media
reports, but its decision means there will be no US representative at the
meeting.

The decision leaves the credibility of the February 23-26 Fourth
International Heroin conference in serious doubt following similar moves by
Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Denmark, diplomatic sources
here said.

France and Germany are the only European nations still expected to attend,
diplomatic sources said here.

In the run-up to the conference in recent weeks, Myanmar's official press
has carried almost daily reports of drugs seizures and the junta's
anti-narcotics drive.

The tactic is evidence of the government's determination to use the
conference to add legitimacy to its 15-year anti-drugs campaign announced
late last year, one observer said.

Foreign analysts say the conference was always likely to become mired in
controversy, given its venue.

"If they were really serious about wanting to achieve something with this
meeting they should have decided to hold it elsewhere," one said.

The George Soros-funded Open Society Institute reportedly recently wrote to
US Attorney General Janet Reno to convince her not to send delegates to
Myanmar, saying the conference was akin to a convention on weapons of mass
destruction in Baghdad or one on women's rights in Kabul.

Myanmar rejects claims that its counter-narcotics record makes it an
incongruous choice to host the conference.


"This is Interpol and the conference is here to show the participation of
the Myanmar government in trying to eradicate drugs," Yangon Interpol
representative Police Colonel Win Kyi told AFP.

Twenty-one nations had confirmed they would attend the meeting, he said.

The most recent United States Country Commercial Guide published last year
described Myanmar, as "the world's largest source of illicit opium" with
output estimated at 2,365 metric tonnes in 1997.

Opium is reportedly smuggled out along trafficking routes in the notorious
Golden Triangle drugs zone grouping parts of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, to
supply the cravings of addicts in cities across the globe.

Other Western nations have also accused Myanmar of cosying up to drug lords
following the surrender of warlord Khun Sa to the military regime two years
ago.

Khun Sa, along with other alleged narcotics traffickers, is believed to
live in Yangon under the protection of military intelligence after his
insurgent Mong Tai Army cut a ceasefire deal with the government.

Myanmar analysts say that although there is no clear evidence to link the
military government with narcotics trafficking, drugs money has clearly
infiltrated the economy.

Drug lords have been accused of financing legitimate businesses with the
ill-gotten gains of drug trading.

Myanmar says it last year destroyed almost 44,500 acres (17,800 hectares)
of opium fields and seized 5,390 kilograms (11,858 pounds) of opium.

Hundreds of kilograms of heroin, marijuana and stimulants were also seized,
according to official figures.

Junta officials say they are handicapped in their fight against drugs by a
lack of international help, and say that as of the end of 1997, 801 of its
soldiers had died fighting to eradicate narcotics. 

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THE BANGKOK POST: RANGOON MAKES A CURIOUS CHOICE TO HOST DRUG TALKS
9 February, 1999 by A Special Correspondent 

The choice of Burma for an Interpol drug conference is causing the deepest
divisions in recent memory among anti-drug officials.

[ ... ]

The decision by Interpol to convene in Burma has raised major passions.
Whatever progress the conference may make is certain to be overwhelmed by
the debate over the site itself.

Some angry officials charge the International Criminal Police Organisation
with overstepping its responsibility. The agency's constitution forbids it
from undertaking any activities of a political character.

Virtually all nations in the world are members of Interpol, which gathers
information only and has no actual police powers. The official purpose of
the Rangoon conference is investigate the consumption and international
trafficking of heroin. Police officers also will try to strengthen
cooperation.

[ ... ]

China and Thailand, the two nations most affected by Burma's trafficking in
heroin and amphetamines, will send full delegations to the Rangoon meeting.
Surin Pitsuwan, the foreign minister, praised Burmese anti-drug efforts
last week after two small drug seizures.

Passions are high.


[ ... ]

Burma continues to provide sanctuary to the world's most famous heroin
traffickers, including Lo Hsing-han and Khun Sa. In addition, anti-drug
agents have claimed recently that Thai fugitive amphetamine king Surachai
"Bang Ron" Ngernthongu has taken refuge inside Burma.

Rangoon, which seldom is awarded the honour of hosting an international
conference, already has begun to exploit the meeting for its propaganda
purposes.

A statement issued on Sunday by the ruling junta, known as the State Peace
and Development Council, said Burma would be delighted to issue visas to
officials from United States and the European Union - although both ban
visas for senior Burmese officials.

"In fact we are more than happy to cooperate and work with officials from
any country in the fight against the narcotic drug menace," said a junta
officer in Rangoon.

A statement from the Shan Democratic Union, an opposition group, called on
all Interpol members "to boycott the ridiculous conference".

The dispute over the conference site now vastly overshadows the heroin
problem, which is once again growing around the world. Burma is the world's
largest producer of opium and heroin, according to US and United Nations
figures. The latest US "World Factbook" said the Burmese opium crop was
2,340 metric tonnes.

In fact, as usual, the Interpol meeting is scheduled to be all talk and no
immediate action. A particularly bland agenda calls for discussions on
heroin trafficking in Southeast and Southwest Asia, smuggling in Africa,
money laundering and -- an old discussion favourite -- traffic in precursor
chemicals used to make heroin.

It remains to be seen whether delegates of those countries which bother to
show up will be too polite to mention that heroin holds up the host regime.
Apart from laundered drug profits, there are few local or foreign
investments in Burma.

For its part, Burma is promising through pre-conference literature to be a
good Interpol host, and has promised to pick up all arriving delegates and
their spouses at the Rangoon airport. 

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NLD: 23 DECEMBER ADDRESS BY DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI 
23 January, 1999 by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 

National League for Democracy
NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon

Excerpts from the address given on the 23 December by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
General Secretary of the National League for Democracy

xxxxx This is a question of Human Rights, Asian standard as opposed to the
Western standard. Those people who are not in favour of Human Rights claim
that the provisions contained in the United Nations Declaration of Human
Rights are not consistent with Asian standards and are applicable to
Western standards only. This is the view of those who don't believe in
Human Rights.

xxxxx  If we examine what is written in the Declaration it will be quite
clear whether they apply to Asian standards, to standards of human beings
or the western standards. If the article which specifies that no one should
be held in slavery -- bought with money and held in slavery -- does not
apply to Asia but only applicable to the West, this will amount to an
insult to us Asians. How disgraceful it is to claim that slavery must not
exist in the west but in our country we can have slaves if we so desire.
How can slavery ever be good? No matter in whatever country, if a human
being is to be treated as chattel that can be bought and sold -- can such a
thing be ever good? How degrading is a mentality that seeks to crush and
persecute a person who is in poverty through destiny without any compassion
for a human being? This is contained in the Human Rights Declaration. The
system of slavery should not exist. Human beings should not be treats as
slaves. Are we prepared to say that this is a western standard? This is a
matter which applies to all humans. Also, people should not be unjustly
arrested and incarcerated. If anyone says that this only applies to the
west, it is tantamount to an abuse. Why? It condones the illegal arrests
and incarcerations that is occurring in Asia. Whatever is unlawful is
wrong. The use of the word unlawful implies a wrong. Unlawful arrest is an
arrest without cause or justification.


xxxxx  Look at the leaders of ASEAN. These leaders who claim that Human
Rights are not the Asian standard  -- see how they are dressed. They have
all adopted the western style. You will have seen their pictures at the
ASEAN conference. All the delegates including those from our country -- how
were they dressed?

xxxxx  I am not objecting to that. What I want to say is, as far as dress
goes, they do not refrain from adopting western styles. No one claimed that
he will wear gaungbaung and pasoe.

xxxxx  During the AFPFL period, the country's prime minister U Nu always
dressed in a gaungbaung and pasoe when he went to foreign countries. Not
once did he assert that Human Rights contained western values only.

xxxxx  In those days, our leaders had open minds and broad understanding.
They did not harbour personal grudges. Not once did they differentiate
between eastern standards and western standards.  xxxx

xxxxx  They accepted the principles that fundamental standards should be
applied to all people. Therefore, all the articles contained in the
Declaration of Human Rights is applicable to all humans. Because of the
conviction that is these rights are not observed, peace can not be achieved
in the world, these conditions have been written in the document. Read the
foreword to the document. The reasons for the Declaration have been set out.

To prevent the occurrence of another world war and to prevent an explosion
of violence by mobs resulting from unbearable persecution. With such
foresight these articles were written. In 1988, people could no longer
suffer the injustices and exploded.

Look at the world. See what is happening in Indonesia. When injustices
accumulate, people are capable of exploding and for peace to prevail in
this world, this Declaration was written, There is nothing to say that
these issues are not acceptable to us in the east. Nothing that contradicts
our religious beliefs. Not one article runs counter to our Buddhist
beliefs. xxxxx

xxxx  They do not seem to object to the statement that everyone, every
human beings is equal. These articles have been written to enable all of us
to build a civilised world society. If the articles are not of eastern
standard then those of us who are citizens of countries in Asia are not
capable of building a civilised society. It is only the governments that
are claiming that these are not eastern standards etc. Those people in
governments want to perpetrate their power. Otherwise why would they be
making these claims? Should they accept the principles in the charter,
their chairs will begin to shake -- that is the reason for their claim that
those human rights do not apply to their countries. That is it.

xxxxx  Anyone who understands what is contained in the Declaration of Human
Rights will accept them. If the authorities in our country will abide and
govern in accordance with the statements therein xxxxx our fears about the
government will vanish. That is why, no matter who says what, the most
important things for us is to familiarise ourselves and clearly understand
what the articles in the Declaration mean. Every effort should be made to
educate the people about it - is what I want to say.  xxxxx 


****************************************************************

THE NATION: ALBRIGHT ARRIVES ON MARCH 20 TO ASSESS SITUATION, COOPERATION 
9 February, 1999 by Sa-Nguan Khumrungroj 

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will visit Thailand and Indonesia
early next month for talks to assess the regional political security and
economic situation, a trip which she has postponed since November because
of the Iraq crisis.

An informed government source said Albright will arrive in Bangkok on March
2 after an official visit to China.

While in Thailand, Albright would like to hear Thai and Asean views on the
political and human rights situation in Burma, a country which has come
under tough US sanctions for its poor human rights and anti-narcotic records.

Albright is strongly critical of the ruling Burmese regime for its
heavy-handed policy against pro-democracy activists following her visit to
Burma in September 1995.

She will meet both Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and Foreign Minister Surin
Pitsuwan. During the talks, both sides will discuss and exchange views on
bilateral political, economic and security cooperation, said the government
source.

They will also consult on means to strengthen their anti-narcotic
cooperation and measures to suppress money laundering.

The developing political situation in Cambodia and the trial of Khmer Rouge
leaders will also top the agenda.

Albright will get a first-hand account of the latest drugs situation in the
Golden Triangle and the condition of refugees and immigrants from Burma
when she visits Chiang Mai.

She arrives here just days before Henry Kissinger, who was secretary of
state during the Richard Nixon administration, visits the Kingdom. He will
be here on Feb 28 to March 2 as a guest of the Thai government.

The source said Kissinger has for the past three years spent his holidays
in February in Phuket. The former US secretary of state plans to holiday in
Phuket before flying to Bangkok to begin his official visit. Kissinger has
offered to assist Thailand resolve its economic and financial turmoil. He
has pledged to persuade more foreigners to invest in Thailand.

Albright will leave on March 4 for Indonesia, where she will discuss with
President B J Habibie and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas the overall situation
there, the country's economic agenda and its political future after the
June 7 general elections. She also aims to discuss the future of East Timor
and is keen to hear what the Indonesian position is on the area.

****************************************************************

THE NATION: UK REFUSES TO ATTEND ASEAN-EU MEETING
9 February, 1999 

AFP

LONDON - Britain has joined the European nations refusing to attend a
summit between ministers from the EU and Asean unless Burma is barred from
the meeting.

The Asean-EU meeting in Berlin next month is already in doubt as the
European Union has refused to relax a visa ban on Burmese officials,
imposed over the ruling military junta's human rights record.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said Britain was now among EU members, who
include Denmark, Sweden and Norway, refusing to sit down with ministers
from Burma.


Because unanimity is required for Burma to attend, a stand by just one of
the 15 EU nations could force the summit's cancellation.

Taking a hard line would also allow British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to
claim some credence for his stated aim of an "ethical" foreign policy, with
human rights at its core.

He has faced severe criticism for allowing the continued export of arms to
countries with poor human rights records, such as Indonesia.

Last year London was also implicated in a scandal when its ambassador to
Sierra Leone approved a weapons delivery to pro-government forces,
violating a United Nations embargo.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said Germany, which holds the six-month
European Union presidency, was talking to Burma and other Asean countries
in an attempt to reach a compromise.

"We cannot say that it will definitely not go ahead," she said. "But if
members cannot agree on Myanmar, the meeting would need to be postponed or
even cancelled.

"We want to see real progress on human rights before any meeting including
Burma." Last week Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said Asean would
keep trying to save next month's ministerial meeting with the EU.

Germany has reportedly hinted that Rangoon's foreign minister might be
admitted if the junta's heavily criticised human rights record was discussed.

Disagreements over Burma have soured relations between the EU and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in recent years.

The EU and the United States staunchly opposed Burma's entry into Asean in
1997 because of allegations of widespread human rights violations.

Asean argued that political change in Burma was more likely to arise from
constructive debate rather than punitive sanctions.

****************************************************************

THE BANGKOK POST: SHIP CHASES OFF ATTACKERS OF TWO THAI FISHING BOATS 
8 February, 1999 

A Chao Phraya naval ship was dispatched yesterday to chase off two armed
boats, one of them identified as Burmese, which had opened fire on two Thai
trawlers off Ranong's coast. 

Vice Adm Somphob Phuridej, commander of the Third Fleet, said a distress
call was received from Tuang Sap 9 fishing boat which reported being
pursued and fired upon by a Burmese-registered speed boat northwest of
Ranong's Koh Chang. 

The Chao Phraya battle ship was then sent to the area, which borders on
overlapped maritime territory between Burma and Thailand. 

By the time the ship arrived at the scene, another Burmese high-speed boat
had joined in the pursuit. The Thai naval vessel issued warnings to the two
boats which later retreated after briefly intruding into Thai territorial
waters. 

In another incident, a small trawler was fired upon when it was chased by a
fully-armed fishing boat whose nationality was unknown six nautical miles
off Koh Payam, also in Ranong. 

The shots fired from the boat wounded Somporn Kongchan, a trawler crew
member, while two of his colleagues escaped by jumping overboard. 

The Chao Phraya came to the rescue, but not before the boat sped off and
the injured crewman rushed to shore with the help of a passing trawler,
Porn Manachai. 


Mr Somporn, who was wounded in the arm, was admitted to Kura Buri Hospital
and later discharged. 

Vice Adm Somphob stressed that the incidents which followed the December
and January clashes between Thai and Burmese boats were problems which
needed urgent government attention. 

High-level talks with Burmese authorities must be held to settle
long-standing disputes stemming from overlapping territorial waters between
the two countries, he said. 

Trawlers must be told strictly not to trespass into foreign territorial
waters and put up clear signs bearing the nationality to prevent confusion
which may lead to confrontation, he added. 

The commander said it was possible the Thai trawlers were confused by the
unclear maritime demarcation and strayed into the overlapped area,
prompting the Burmese boat to be on their guard. 

But if the friction persisted for much longer, it might develop into a
full-scale battle, he added.

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NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: THREE U.S. CITIZENS ORDAINED AT ALODAWPYI MONASTERY 
9 February, 1999 

YANGON, 8 Feb-Three US citizens were ordained at the Alodawpyi Monastery at
Tamwelay Ward here this morning.

The ordination was sponsored by US Military Attache Lt-Col Thompson, Chief
Executive Officer of Eagle Group of Companies Mr Pet James and General
Manager of Eagle Group of Companies Mr Sean Haley.

Also present on the occasion were Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Secretary-2 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Deputy Minister for
Science and Technology U Hlaing Win, member of the Multi-party Democracy
General Election Commission U San Maung, officials of the Religious Affairs
Department and well-wishers.

Daw Khin Than Nwe and well-wishers presented offertories to the Sayadaws
and newly-ordained monks.

The congregation shared the merits gained.

Sayadaws recited metta sutta.

Vice-Chairman Sayadaw of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee delivered a
sermon.

The monks will practise vipassana for five days at Alodawpyi Monastery in
Bagan Nyaung U.

****************************************************************